About Domestic Violence
Domestic violence, also known as battering, is a pattern of behavior where one person tries to control the thoughts, beliefs or actions of a partner, friend or any other person close to them. While the violence may cause injury, it does not have to be physical. Domestic violence also takes the form of emotional, verbal, mental, sexual and economic abuse.

The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that more than 90% of all domestic violence victims are female and that most abusers are male. Whether the victim is male or female, violence of any kind in relationships is unacceptable. Domestic violence affects people from every age, racial or ethnic background, religious group, neighborhood, and income level. Domestic violence also occurs in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and same-sex relationships. reprinted with permission from Jane Doe Inc.

Domestic abuse and dating violence is a serious crime. Those convicted can be fined, imprisoned, required to attend an abuse prevention or counseling program, and/or subject to University discipline.

Common Myths regarding Domestic Violence

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 209A., This is also known as the "Abuse Prevention Act", provides victims of domestic abuse with protection and relief, including restraining orders and money damages. Abuse is the occurrence of one or more of the following acts between family or household members: (1) attempting to cause or causing physical harm; (2) placing another in fear of imminent physical harm; or (3) causing another to engage involuntarily in sexual relations by force, threat, or duress. Family or household members are considered: (are or were married to one another; (2) are or were residing together in the same household; (3) are or were related by blood or marriage; (4) had a child in common regardless of whether they have ever been married or lived together; or (5) are or have been in a substantive dating relationship. Advice and assistance regarding domestic abuse or dating violence is available from the Boston University Police Department Detective Bureau via the web or by telephone at 617-353-3436 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. After these hours you should contact the BUPD at 617-353-2121.

Legal Duties of the Police
Whenever a police officer has reason to believe that a person has been abused, or is in danger of being abused, the officer shall use all reasonable means to prevent further abuse. By law, police officers are required to:
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1. Remain on the scene where abuse occurred, or is in danger of occurring, as long as the officer has reason to believe that someone is in physical danger.
2. Assist the abused person in obtaining medical treatment.
3. Assist the abused person in getting to a safe place.
4. Give the abused person a notice of his or her rights. (See following Notice of Rights.)
5. If necessary, activate the emergency judicial response system by contacting the state police.
6. Inform the victim that the abuser, if under arrest, may be eligible for bail, and may be released.
7. Arrest any person the officer has probable cause to believe has violated a domestic abuse prevention order.
8. Arrest even when a domestic abuse prevention order is not in effect, whenever an officer witnesses, or has probable cause to believe that a person has committed (1) a felony, or (2) a misdemeanor involving abuse. (Arrests are the preferred response in Massachusetts.)
9. Enter the premises at the request of someone in lawful control of the premises, or to enforce the provisions of a protective court order, or to take reasonable measures to prevent any further abuse.

Notice of Victim Rights (A Summary)
You have the right to go to court, and to file a domestic abuse complaint requesting:

• An order restraining your attacker from abusing you;
• An order directing your attacker to leave your household,building, or workplace.
• You have the right to seek a criminal complaint for threats, assault and battery, or other related offenses.
• If you are in need of medical treatment, the police will arrange transportation for you to the nearest hospital or otherwise assist you in obtaining medical treatment.
• If requested, the police will remain at the scene until you can leave or until your safety is otherwise ensured.
• You may request that the officer assist you by arranging transportation or by taking you to a safe place (such as a shelter or a family or friend's residence).
• You may obtain a copy of the police incident report at no cost from the police department.
  

Jurisdiction
The Boston University Police Department will respond to any emergency on campus. The Boston University Police Department will assist all members of the Boston University community by assessing the incident, seeking legal protection, and referring victims to a counseling service. The Boston University Police Department does not respond to off-campus residences, but it will direct persons to the local police department or contact a crisis interventionist. In an emergency, the Boston University Police will call the other agency. The Boston University Police Department does not provide attorney services. An abuse victim has certain legal rights regarding recovery of damages or expenses. The department cannot assist in this area, nor can we recommend the names of any specific attorneys to contact.
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Reporting Abuse to the Police
The objectives of the Boston University Police are, first, to help you to safety, second, to obtain any needed medical care and crisis intervention, and third, to help you prevent future abuse via the legal process. Boston University police officers have special training and procedures established for handling domestic violence cases. Reporting a domestic abuse case to the police does not commit the victim to further legal action. If you are willing to testify against your assailant, the police and the district attorney's office will handle the legal proceedings. You do not need to hire an attorney.
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Crisis Intervention and Counseling Services
Boston University's crisis counselor is a specialist experienced in domestic violence cases, and is trained to help the victims of crimes and other traumatic incidents. The counselor can meet a victim at the hospital and assist her or him during any legal procedures.
The crisis counselor can be reached at 617/353-3569 during the work day. During nights and weekends, the crisis counselor can be paged by calling the Boston University Police Department or residence hall staff. Boston University's Counseling Center is a place where those who have suffered domestic abuse can discuss feelings associated with abusive relationships. Sessions are designed to explore the impact of abuse and develop skills to regain control of one's life. The Counseling and Wellness Center also provides referrals to other agencies in the greater Boston area. To schedule an appointment, call 617-353-3540.
The Office of the Dean of Students assists students who have problems that affect any aspect of their University life. This office also assists students who have problems in the residence halls or in academic settings. Students who wish to discuss a problem or seek information on the services available should contact this office. Sometimes students may not wish to pursue a case through the criminal justice system. If the alleged perpetrator is a student, the Office of the Dean of Students has jurisdiction to investigate and to take disciplinary action against the student.
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Employees may seek assistance through their Employee Relations representative at the Office of Personnel, at the Office of Equal Opportunity, and at the Faculty-Staff Assistance Program. All members of the Boston University community may seek assistance through the various chaplains and pastoral counseling centers on campus.

Links to other counseling sites:

• Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance
• Jane Doe Inc.
• Safelink

Actions Abusers Use to Establish and Maintain Control Physical Abuse Violence is a powerful means of enforcing compliance.

• Emotional Abuse
  Insults play a major role in dating abuse. They tend to destroy a victim's independence and self-esteem, and cause the victim to comply with the abuser's demands.
• Coercion, Manipulation, and Threats
  Abusers use a variety of threats to enforce their demands: direct threats of physical harm, threats to commit suicide, and threats to expose embarrassing secrets.
• Intimidation
  Abusers engage in acts designed to frighten their victims: making frightening gestures, smashing things, displaying weapons, and throwing objects. In public situations, abusers use intimidating looks or gestures to communicate their wishes.
• Denial and Blame
  Abusers commonly refuse to accept responsibility for their actions and seek to blame their victims for the abuse.
• Jealousy
  The abuser displays anger and is jealous of the victim's family and friends. Victims often feel flattered by this behavior and view it as proof of affection.
• Sexual Abuse
  Conflicts about sex often can lead to violence. Abusers are likely to use their power to coerce compliance in sexual matters as in other facets of their relationships. The threat or use of physical violence often renders victims less able and willing to resist sexual abuse.
• Isolation
  Abusers devote exorbitant amounts of energy and time to surveillance of their victims. The use of isolation increases the abuser's control. In isolation, incidents of physical abuse are more easily perpetrated, hidden, and denied.
  Factors Contributing to Vulnerability
  > Peer pressure to conform to group norms (such as pressure to have a partner)
  > Confusion about issues of control and jealousy
  > Rejection of assistance from professional care providers and legal authorities
  > Exclusive reliance on one's peers for support, advice, and remedy

Facts About Domestic Abuse and Dating Violence

• Domestic or dating violence is a crime. Those convicted can be sent to jail, fines, imprisoned, or compelled to attend an abuse prevention or counseling program.
• High school and college women are more likely to be abused and assaulted by someone they know than by a stranger.
• The use of alcohol or drugs, by both the victim and the offender, are often factors in domestic violence cases.
• Large numbers of young adults are affected by relationship violence.
• If violence occurs once in a dating relationship, it is likely to occur again.
• Jealousy and uncontrollable anger are perceived by victims to be common causes of violence.
• Intimidation-the intention of striking fear into the other person or forcing the other person to do something-is a major motive for violence by males.
• People misinterpret violent acts as signifying affection.

Warning Signs of Abuse
Check this list of warning signs to help answer the question: Am I Safe? These behaviors may indicate that you or someone you know is suffering from an abusive relationship.

Are you with someone who.....

• Is jealous and possessive toward you, won't let you have friends, checks up on you, won´t accept breaking up?
• Tries to control you by being very bossy, giving orders, making all the decisions; doesn't take your opinion seriously?
• Is scary? You worry about how they will react to things you say or do? Threatens you, uses or owns weapons?
• Is violent: has a history of fighting, loses temper quickly, brags about mistreating others?
• Pressures you for sex, is forceful or scary around sex? Thinks of you as a sex object? Attempts to manipulate or guilt-trip you by saying "If you really loved me you would....." Gets too serious about the relationship too fast?
• Abuses drugs or alcohol and pressures you to take them?
• Blames you when they mistreat you? Says you provoked them, pressed their buttons, made them do it, led them on?
• Has a history of bad relationships and blames the other person for all the problems?
• Believes that men should be in control and powerful and that women should be passive and submissive?
• Has hit, pushed, choked, restrained, kicked, or physically abused you?
• Your family and friends have warned you about the person or told you they were worried for you safety?
• If you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, has threatened to 'out' you to family, friends, or co-workers if you don't comply with certain demands?
• If you are an immigrant, has threatened or tried to turn you in to authorities and get you deported?

If you answered "YES" to any of these questions in thinking about yourself or someone you know, help is available. You can call an advocate at a local program or contact any of the following people if you feel safe doing so

• the staff at a domestic violence or sexual assault program
• a police officer
• a member of your family
• a teacher or school counselor
• your friends or their parents
• your priest, minister or rabbi
• a doctor or nurse
• people in court- the district attorney or victim witness advocate
• another adult you trust
  

reprinted with permission from Jane Doe Inc.